Sixth Grade Middle Core
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
2017-2018
Band 6 (Three (3) trimesters)
To participate in sixth grade band, the student should have at least one (1) year prior experience in band or at least one (1) year of private music lessons on the instrument to be played in the band. Students new to sixth grade band will have to successfully pass an audition by the band director to be placed in the band.
The sixth grade band meets five (5) days per week for the entire year. Emphasis is placed on developing and refining the student's performance skills in a large ensemble. The students are exposed to the total band "sound" including blend, articulation, intonation, phrasing, rhythm and dynamics. An additional period from the middle core every seven (7) school days is given to section rehearsals. The band performs a holiday concert and a Spring concert. As a reward, those students who have been in Band every year while in Middle School will be taking a day trip to an exciting destination.
Chorus 6 (Three (3) trimesters)
Sing and dance your way to stardom. Participants in Chorus 6 will learn how to sing, dance and perform in a large vocal ensemble. You will also have the opportunity to play percussion instruments as well. Are you a Disney fan? Do you like music from musicals? If so, then you will really enjoy this class. Two major evening performances are required, one in December and one in May. You could also be a member of a Select Group and travel to an amusement park for a competition and then enjoy a day at the park! No previous experience in a vocal ensemble is required. Theory and technique are taught in a fun way. As a reward, those students who have been in Chorus every year while in Middle School will be taking a day trip to an exciting destination.
Chorus/Band 6 (Three (3) trimesters)
Students who would like to schedule both Chorus and Band may schedule this course. The Middle School schedule is set up in a six-day rotation. Students will report to Band on Days 1, 2, 3 and to Chorus on Days 4, 5, 6. This course meets each day for the entire year. As a reward, those students who have been in Chorus/Band every year while in the Middle School will be taking a day trip to an exciting destination.
Business Sampler 6 (One (1) trimester)
This course is designed to teach students basic business principles through the use of technology and interpersonal communications. Students will perform a self test and job research in the career unit. Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point projects are created in the technology unit. A corporation is designed and implemented within the Create Your Own Business unit.
Young Living (One (1) trimester)
Young Living is for students who want to learn how to care for young children and earn money while doing it. Leadership skills, safety, basic care, first aid and professionalism are skills acquired through participation in the American Red Cross (ARC) Babysitting Program. While there is a fee for the ARC Babysitter’s Handbook and ARC Certification, students are strongly encouraged to obtain both. Additionally, students will learn personal development concepts and child development principles. At the end of the trimester, childcare skills and responsibility will be practiced while caring for our “Real Care” babies – Jacob, Heather, Pedro and Bella.
Keyboarding 6 (One (1) trimester)
The students will learn to key all letters of the alphabet on the keyboard. Emphasis is placed on maintaining eye contact with the book and not on the student’s fingers (known as touch keying). Students will develop accuracy and speed while performing the work on computers with various software applications.
Multimedia 6 (One (1) trimester)
This course provides a variety of hands-on opportunities for students to explore digital media using state-of-the-art Macintosh computers. Students produce and edit movies using iTunes, iPhoto, and iMovie. GarageBand is used for music composition, and digital artwork is created using Adobe Photoshop Elements. Students design dynamic digital creations consisting of individual as well as collaborative group work. The knowledge and skills acquired in this course help students to successfully perform and interact in today’s technology driven society.
Music 6 (One (1) trimester)
You will enjoy this all "Hands-On" musical experience. The three basic units of instruction are: "You Can't Stop the Beat"—This is a World Drumming adventure that you won't want to miss. Learn to play African drums along with other instruments from around the world. "Guitar Rocks"—Six weeks of guitar instruction will enable students to learn the basics of playing the guitar. "Boomwhacker Boogie"—You will learn to play familiar songs on the boomwhackers and create your own song as well. "Dance, Dance, Revolution"—You will be able to move with confidence while learning folk dances.
Physical Education (One (1) trimester, Required for all students)
The middle school physical education program provides our students with the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and behaviors that lead toward overall wellness and particpation in lifelong activity. By making a shift away from team sports, the emphasis of the physical education course will be placed on wellness and fitness which allows students to focus on individual improvement in these areas. To assist students in the achievement of personal goals, the physical education program implements many innovative activities such as outdoor activities, creative movement activities, self-guided fitness and cooperative activities. These types of physical activities are just a few examples of how students will be able to explore their interests in the Middle School physical education course.
Students will spend five (5) days during their Physical Education class in the Health classroom. Topics covered will include the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. Both the male and female reproductive systems will be discussed.
Principles of Technology 6 (One (1) trimester)
Students will explore various scientific concepts that are significantly important to construction technology. This minds-on, hands-on STEM course provides students an opportunity to explore and offer solutions to posed challenges using various material components, thus deepening and enhancing their overall conceptual understanding.
Students will be exploring some or all of the following:
Simple Machines (levers) Construction/Analysis of data/models (cantilevers, bridges, etc.)
Development/Evaluation of Designs Measurement of Applied Force
Testing/Evaluation of Hypotheses Development/Presentation of Solutions
Strings6 (Three (3) trimesters)
To participate in sixth grade orchestra, the student should have at leastone (1) year prior experience in stringsor at least one (1) year of private music lessons on the instrument to be played in the orchestra. Students new to sixth gradestring orchestrawill have to successfully pass an audition by the orchestra director to be placed in the orchestra.
The sixth grade string orchestra meets five (5) days per week for the entire year. Students have the option of joining both Band/Strings or Chous/Strings with an even 3 day per rotation in each group. Emphasis is placed on developing and refining the student's performance skills in a large ensemble. The students are exposed to the totalorchestra "sound" including blend, articulation, intonation, phrasing, rhythm and dynamics. The String Orchestra performs a Winter concert and a Spring concert.
Visual Arts 6 - (One (1) trimester)
The goals of the sixth grade visual arts program are: to develop and expand aesthetic perception (art criticism), to develop and expand knowledge and skills in order to express ideas imaginatively (art production), to acquire knowledge of historical and cultural developments which occur as a result of varying needs and aesthetic points of view (art history) and to develop a base for making informed aesthetic judgments (aesthetics) in the areas of Ceramics, Fabrics, Drawing and Painting.
Grade 6 Middle Core Page 1 2017-2018